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The brackish water of the Baltic Sea, with decreasing salinity from the west to the east and from the south to the north, is a borderline area for cod Gadus rnorhua. The major stock, the eastern Baltic cod, has decreased substantially during the last decade. A discussion concerning the possibility of immigration of cod and the potential of stock interactions has evolved. The present study was conducted in order to elucidate if differences in salinity requirements for successful spawning exist between the eastern Baltic cod and the western Belt Sea cod, and if adaptation to ambient salinity is possible. Activation of the spermatozoa occurred at 211 to 12 psu (practical salinity units) for Baltic cod and at 215 to 16 psu for Belt Sea cod. Neutral egg buoyancy was obtained at 14.5 * 1.2 psu and at 20 to 22 psu respectively. Transfer of fish from marine to brackish water conditions showed that these characteristics remained essentially the same; activation of spermatozoa occurred at 214 to 15 psu and neutral egg buoyancy at 19 to 21 psu. The results suggest that these characteristics are specific to population~. Regarding hydrographic conditions in the spawning areas of cod in the Baltic, the results suggest that stock interactions may be possible in the western Baltic spawning areas where salinity requirements for both stocks are fulfilled, but not in the eastern spawning areas as low salinity prevents successful spawning of Belt Sea cod. Salinity and oxygen conditions in the Baltic vary w~t h highly irregular saline water inflows Periods of stagnation without inflows may, due to decreasing salinity, e.g. < l 5 psu during the last stagnation period, act as an ecological barner separating the stocks.

Objective-To examine the ability of a secondary prevention programme to improve the lifestyle in myocardial infarction patients aged 50-70 years. Design-Habitual physical activity, food habits, and smoking habits were assessed from questionnaires at admission to hospital and at the one year follow up. Initially, all patients were invited to join an exercise programme and were informed about cardiovascular risk factors. Four weeks after discharge from the hospital, 87 patients were randomised to follow up at the coronary prevention unit by a special trained nurse (the intervention group), and 81 to follow up by their general practitioners (the usual care group). After randomisation, the intervention group was educated about the effects of smoking cessation, dietary management, and regular physical activity. The intervention group also participated in a physical training programme two to three times weekly for 10-12 weeks. Main results-89% of the patients referred to the intervention group improved their food habits compared with 62% of the patients referred to the usual care group (P = 0.008). Furthermore, 50% of the smokers referred to the intervention group stopped smoking compared to 29% in the usual care group (P = 0.09).Changes in physical activity did not differ between the groups.Conclusions-This secondary prevention programme based on a nurse rehabilitator was successful in improving food habits in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Initiating the smoking cessation programme during the hospital stay followed by repeated counselling during follow up might have improved the results. The exercise programme had no advantage in supporting physical activity compared to usual care.

Aim: To describe first-year nursing students' experiences of witnessing death and providing end-of-life care. Methods: This study is part of a larger longitudinal project. Interviews (n=17) were conducted with nursing students at the end of their first year of education. To analyse the interviews (lived-experience descriptions), a thematic analysis, 'a search for meaning' (Van Manen, 1997) was applied. Results:The results are presented within the framework of four separate themes: (1) The thought of death is more frightening than the actual experience, (2) Daring to approach the dying patient and offering something of oneself, (3) The experience of not sufficing in the face of death and (4) Being confronted with one's own feelings. Conclusion: Nursing students require continuous support and opportunity to reflect and discuss their experiences about caring for dying patients and confronting death throughout the entirety of their education. In addition, teachers and clinical supervisors need to give support using reflective practice to help students to develop confidence in their capacity for caring for dying patients.